PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Petty Officer 2nd Class Tai'Chae Polydore, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Bougainville, in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s priorities, America’s shipbuilding industry is a national security asset that strengthens deterrence, enhances global readiness, and keeps the fleet forward. Modernization efforts are creating American jobs, revitalizing communities, and fueling innovation.
Polydore graduated from First Coast High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville.
“My hometown taught me to put community first,” Polydore said. “In Jacksonville, people look out for each other. In the Navy, that same mindset turns into brotherhood and sisterhood - mission above self.”
Polydore joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Polydore serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“My dad served in the Navy for 22 years,” Polydore said. “I joined to follow in his footsteps and to travel the world.”
This is the second ship named in honor of the Bougainville World War II campaign. As a large-deck amphibious assault ship, Bougainville is nearly three football fields long, with a crew of more than 1,200 that can support up to 1,800 troops and their equipment.
Polydore has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment has been representing something bigger than myself,” Polydore said.
As Polydore and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means growth,” Polydore said. “The Navy challenged me, shaped me and pushed me beyond limits I didn't know I had.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hunter Harwell, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s priorities, America’s shipbuilding industry is a national security asset that strengthens deterrence, enhances global readiness, and keeps the fleet forward. Modernization efforts are creating American jobs, revitalizing communities, and fueling innovation.
Polydore graduated from First Coast High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville.
“My hometown taught me to put community first,” Polydore said. “In Jacksonville, people look out for each other. In the Navy, that same mindset turns into brotherhood and sisterhood - mission above self.”
Polydore joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Polydore serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“My dad served in the Navy for 22 years,” Polydore said. “I joined to follow in his footsteps and to travel the world.”
This is the second ship named in honor of the Bougainville World War II campaign. As a large-deck amphibious assault ship, Bougainville is nearly three football fields long, with a crew of more than 1,200 that can support up to 1,800 troops and their equipment.
Polydore has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment has been representing something bigger than myself,” Polydore said.
As Polydore and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means growth,” Polydore said. “The Navy challenged me, shaped me and pushed me beyond limits I didn't know I had.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.